Colombia: calls for a reform of the police force multiply after a police blunder

Bus burnt down after strong protests against police brutality in Bogota, September 10, 2020. REUTERS / Luisa Gonzalez

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As the Colombian opposition calls for new demonstrations, 1,600 men have arrived in reinforcement in the Colombian capital.

On Wednesday, the marches in honor of Javier Ordonez, who died after what amounts to a serious police blunder, turned into a riot in several districts of Bogota and in Soacha, near the capital.

Official assessment: 7 dead according to the local press and hundreds of injured.

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Javier Ordonez, father of two, died after receiving a dozen electric shocks from two police officers who immobilized him on the ground.

The scene, filmed by a witness and broadcast on social networks, shocked public opinion.

For the mayor of Bogota, the case of Javier Ordonez is not isolated.

Claudia Lopez calls for " 

an exemplary sentence 

" for the police officers involved and also calls for " 

a deep and serious restructuring 

" of the Colombian police.

To read also: Night of riot in Colombia after the death of a man during a police blunder

The Minister of Defense assures that the two agents concerned have been suspended and that they are the subject of a disciplinary and criminal investigation.

At a press conference alongside the police chief, Carlos Holmes Trujillo nevertheless calls not to stigmatize an institution, which, according to him, is already being reformed.

It's a process that is underway within the police," he

says.

Better selection procedures, more targeted and clearer sanctions for violations to ensure that Colombians have a strong, respected, loved police force, which derives its legitimacy from transparency, which guarantees its support and affection Colombians. 

"

The Minister of Defense maintains that the police already respect a very strict code of conduct as well as international standards.

In a report at the end of February, the UN had nevertheless denounced the “ 

unnecessary and disproportionate use of force

 ” by the police and the military since the peace agreement signed in 2016 with the former FARC guerrillas.

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  • Colombia

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